Positive parenting training planned for family support staff

Staff of the 11 new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Support services will be able to undertake training in the highly regarded Triple P Positive Parenting Program thanks to $110,000 in Bligh Government funding.

Child Safety Minister Phil Reeves said the initial funding would provide training for 40 staff to enable two pilot training programs to be conducted in October 2010.

"Triple P program is widely known and acknowledged as a leader in parenting programs and giving new Family Support Services staff this training will be of enormous benefit to them in their jobs," Mr Reeves said.

"The Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak (QATSICPP) is working very closely with the Queensland Government to identify appropriate training and development programs for staff of the new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Support Services and is fully behind this program.

"Triple P International employs only highly and appropriately qualified Triple P Accredited Trainers, with postgraduate qualifications in clinical or educational psychology at a Masters or Doctorate level."

Mr Reeves said organisers of the Triple P program at the University of Queensland have confirmed that their program is culturally appropriate for indigenous families and the benefits of the program for staff will be assessed at the completion of the pilot programs at the end of the year.

"The delivery of this training certainly aligns with the Queensland Government's Toward Q2: Tomorrow's Queensland vision for a safer, more caring Queensland," Mr Reeves said.

"I would like to acknowledge the important role that the Peak Body will be playing in this process by providing ongoing coordination and support in the training and engagement of Family Support Services, and ongoing support and coordination of cultural supervision in the service delivery of Triple P.

"The need for additional training in this program will be reviewed once new Indigenous Family Support Providers become established and indicate their interest in the program."

It is estimated that once fully operational, as many as 80 new Family Support staff will be trained.

The main source of referrals to the new Family Support services will be from Child Safety and made in conjunction with Recognised Entity advice, however Queensland Health and Queensland Education employees may also refer directly

Minister for Child Safety and Minister for Sport
The Honourable Phil Reeves
03/08/2010

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Publish Date: 03 Aug 10